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Chapter 8. Warriors Young and Old
Even though the terrain was very rocky, Haldir and the twins had soon picked up the orc trail and were following it cautiously back towards Moria. There were still a few hours to go before sunset so they moved stealthily, not wanting to alert the orcs who would be hiding in the darkness of the caves. Orcs made no attempt to disguise their tracks, so Elladan and Elrohir were wondering why Haldir had bent down to take a closer look.
"I can see no evidence that Legolas is with them," he explained, slightly confused. An elf left no footprint that the eye could see, unless it was the eye of another elf. "I am certain that he would be bound and forced to walk, there should be some sign."
The twins looked about to see if they could find anything, suddenly a startled Elladan exclaimed, "Did you see that?"
"See what?" asked Haldir. Elladan was pointing to the foothills further up in the distance,
"I thought I saw a hint of something moving, reflecting the sunlight." All three elves trained their gaze in the direction indicated.
"It is not something," said Elrohir, excitement in his voice, "it is someone. Legolas!"
"So it is," agreed a jubilant Elladan, "how did he end up there, I wonder?"
"It looks like you will soon have the chance to ask him yourself" Haldir answered, relieved to have found the missing prince, "he appears to be heading in our direction."
Legolas' eyesight was keen, even for an elf, so he had seen the others before they had spotted him. They were in fact several hours distant, and he made his way swiftly towards them. Haldir watched quietly as the three friends were reunited, laughing and hugging each other joyously and listening while Legolas explained what had happened to him after he had fallen.
"When we could not find you, we assumed you had been captured" Haldir said.
"Elrohir and I had no intention of returning without you," laughed Elladan "who knows what your father would have done to us?"
"The dungeons, perhaps?" Legolas suggested mischievously.
"I am pleased to see that you young warriors have developed such camaraderie, it will be needed in times to come" said Haldir, smiling at the image of Elrond's sons being sent to Thranduil's dungeons. "However, the sun's light has almost faded, we cannot linger here, we must make for the safety of the woods."
"You are right, Haldir, I can feel orcs approaching as we speak," replied Legolas. They had gone only a short distance when they were attacked by a group of about ten orcs. Legolas ignored his injured ribs as he defended himself with his knives, the twins both fought fiercely, as did Haldir. Finally the orcs had been despatched and the elves made their way wearily to the borders of Lothlorien.
Haldir lead them through the golden woods to Caras Galadhon where they were welcomed by Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. "I am glad that you have returned safe and well," Galadriel said to them "take some rest now and I will send for Thranduil and Elrond, for I know they are both very concerned about their sons. You are injured," she said to Legolas "come, I will take you to a healer."
"Thank you" said Legolas. Until now he had forgotten the pain in his ribs, but it had come back with a vengeance.
********
Legolas and the twins found themselves the centre of much attention whilst waiting for their fathers to answer Galadriel's summons. Haldir and his companions held the young warriors in high regard and many a story was told around the tables at the evening meals. Once the beautiful voice Legolas had been heard, he was often asked to lead the singing. It came as no surprise to anyone that many of the maidens found the three handsome young elves worthy of their attention also, much to the delight of Elladan and Elrohir.
It was a sight many of the older elves had never thought to see when Lord Elrond and King Thranduil rode into Caras Galadhon together. Neither could the twins and Legolas believe their eyes, as there was no sign of their previous animosity, in fact they were both in high spirits as they dismounted and greeted Galadriel. Even she eyed them warily, wondering how long they would be able to keep the peace, now that their mutual crisis had passed. Thranduil surprised everyone even more by drawing his son into a fierce embrace, allowing tears of joy to fall at seeing him alive and well. Legolas unashamedly returned the hug,
"I am truly glad to see you, Father" he said softly, "I am sorry that I caused you to suffer so much grief."
"I am grateful that my worst fears were not realised" he replied "and I am indebted to Haldir and the sons of Elrond for finding you." He nodded at the twins in acknowledgement.
Elrond had also embraced his sons "I am pleased to see you both well" he said.
"You should both be very proud of these young warriors," said Galadriel looking pointedly at Elrond and Thranduil. "They have proven themselves on and off the battlefield."
********
A/N: This is the final chapter of 'Young warriors feel No Fear'. Thanks to all those who have read it (extra thanks to my reviewers, hi PuterPatty!) I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Chapter 8. Warriors Young and Old
Even though the terrain was very rocky, Haldir and the twins had soon picked up the orc trail and were following it cautiously back towards Moria. There were still a few hours to go before sunset so they moved stealthily, not wanting to alert the orcs who would be hiding in the darkness of the caves. Orcs made no attempt to disguise their tracks, so Elladan and Elrohir were wondering why Haldir had bent down to take a closer look.
"I can see no evidence that Legolas is with them," he explained, slightly confused. An elf left no footprint that the eye could see, unless it was the eye of another elf. "I am certain that he would be bound and forced to walk, there should be some sign."
The twins looked about to see if they could find anything, suddenly a startled Elladan exclaimed, "Did you see that?"
"See what?" asked Haldir. Elladan was pointing to the foothills further up in the distance,
"I thought I saw a hint of something moving, reflecting the sunlight." All three elves trained their gaze in the direction indicated.
"It is not something," said Elrohir, excitement in his voice, "it is someone. Legolas!"
"So it is," agreed a jubilant Elladan, "how did he end up there, I wonder?"
"It looks like you will soon have the chance to ask him yourself" Haldir answered, relieved to have found the missing prince, "he appears to be heading in our direction."
Legolas' eyesight was keen, even for an elf, so he had seen the others before they had spotted him. They were in fact several hours distant, and he made his way swiftly towards them. Haldir watched quietly as the three friends were reunited, laughing and hugging each other joyously and listening while Legolas explained what had happened to him after he had fallen.
"When we could not find you, we assumed you had been captured" Haldir said.
"Elrohir and I had no intention of returning without you," laughed Elladan "who knows what your father would have done to us?"
"The dungeons, perhaps?" Legolas suggested mischievously.
"I am pleased to see that you young warriors have developed such camaraderie, it will be needed in times to come" said Haldir, smiling at the image of Elrond's sons being sent to Thranduil's dungeons. "However, the sun's light has almost faded, we cannot linger here, we must make for the safety of the woods."
"You are right, Haldir, I can feel orcs approaching as we speak," replied Legolas. They had gone only a short distance when they were attacked by a group of about ten orcs. Legolas ignored his injured ribs as he defended himself with his knives, the twins both fought fiercely, as did Haldir. Finally the orcs had been despatched and the elves made their way wearily to the borders of Lothlorien.
Haldir lead them through the golden woods to Caras Galadhon where they were welcomed by Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. "I am glad that you have returned safe and well," Galadriel said to them "take some rest now and I will send for Thranduil and Elrond, for I know they are both very concerned about their sons. You are injured," she said to Legolas "come, I will take you to a healer."
"Thank you" said Legolas. Until now he had forgotten the pain in his ribs, but it had come back with a vengeance.
********
Legolas and the twins found themselves the centre of much attention whilst waiting for their fathers to answer Galadriel's summons. Haldir and his companions held the young warriors in high regard and many a story was told around the tables at the evening meals. Once the beautiful voice Legolas had been heard, he was often asked to lead the singing. It came as no surprise to anyone that many of the maidens found the three handsome young elves worthy of their attention also, much to the delight of Elladan and Elrohir.
It was a sight many of the older elves had never thought to see when Lord Elrond and King Thranduil rode into Caras Galadhon together. Neither could the twins and Legolas believe their eyes, as there was no sign of their previous animosity, in fact they were both in high spirits as they dismounted and greeted Galadriel. Even she eyed them warily, wondering how long they would be able to keep the peace, now that their mutual crisis had passed. Thranduil surprised everyone even more by drawing his son into a fierce embrace, allowing tears of joy to fall at seeing him alive and well. Legolas unashamedly returned the hug,
"I am truly glad to see you, Father" he said softly, "I am sorry that I caused you to suffer so much grief."
"I am grateful that my worst fears were not realised" he replied "and I am indebted to Haldir and the sons of Elrond for finding you." He nodded at the twins in acknowledgement.
Elrond had also embraced his sons "I am pleased to see you both well" he said.
"You should both be very proud of these young warriors," said Galadriel looking pointedly at Elrond and Thranduil. "They have proven themselves on and off the battlefield."
********
A/N: This is the final chapter of 'Young warriors feel No Fear'. Thanks to all those who have read it (extra thanks to my reviewers, hi PuterPatty!) I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!